I couldn’t resist this, but in the spirit that perhaps of our lifetimes this really is the most important conference, perhaps I can get away with the comparison.
Will our world leaders step up to the plate? Or will they leave the conference with some good soundbites, and a hasty fudge to make it look to everyone that a life-saving deal has been done which will avert the impending disaster?
It’s interesting to note that, contrary to the recollection of many, Chamberlain was hailed as a hero when he returned from Munich in September 1938, having betrayed both the unfortunate Czechs and, ultimately, his country. Everyone thought that he had delivered the country from war, whereas in fact he had brought it another inexorable step closer. Funny how differently history can view these things looking back.
Let’s give them all the benefit of the doubt, for now at least.